• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1031-1038
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• 2003

This study was aimed at investigating the change of blood mineral and enzyme activity during growth period of velvet antler in Korean spotted deer. Samples of blood, obtained from the jugular vein of twenty-five deer(4 to 6 year-old males), were taken in 10 days interval from just after casting to 50 days. Deer were randomly selected from the farm, and samples were analyzed for blood parameters like mineral concentration and enzyme activities. No significant differences found in calcium and phosphorus concentration in blood whereas sodium, potassium and chloride concentration were significantly changed with antler growth. There were no significant differences in alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, $\gamma$-glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase during growth of antler, but alkaline phosphatase concentration was increased with growth of antler, and the highest concentration was obtained on the 50 days after casting. Creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities for the deer tested in this experiment were higher than those of other animals.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.507-514
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• 2015

Deer velvet antler (DVA) is one of the most popular medicines in China. Numerous studies have demonstrated that velvet antler possess biological effects. However, data regarding its anti-migration activity on prostate cancer is scarce. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of top DVA (T-DVA) on the expression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and migration-related genes in the human prostate cancer cell, LNCaP. The T-DVA down-regulated the expression of PSA. In addition, the Radius^TM assay revealed that T-DVA inhibited the migration behavior of prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was also decreased with T-DVA. On the contrary, T-DVA increased the tissue inhibition of metallo-proteinase (TIMP)-1 and (TIMP)-2. Taken together, our findings indicate that the T-DVA possesses anti-migration activity on prostate cancer cells. This is the first study of DVA to report the anti-migration activity on prostate cancer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1303-1308
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate changes in blood enzyme parameters and to evaluate the relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), antler growth and body weight during the antler growth of sika deer (Cervus nippon). Serum enzyme activity and IGF-1 concentrations were measured in blood samples collected from the jugular and femoral veins at regular intervals during the antler growth period. Blood samples were taken in the morning from fasted stags (n = 12) which were healthy and showed no clinical signs of disease. Alfalfa was available ad libitum and concentrates were given at 1% of body weight to all stags. The experimental diet was provided at 9 am with water available at all times. There were no significant differences in alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase during antler growth, but alkaline phosphatase concentrations increased with antler growth progression, and the highest alkaline phosphatase concentration was obtained 55 days after antler casting. Serum IGF-1 concentrations measured from blood samples taken from the jugular vein during antler growth, determined that levels of IGF-1 was associated with body weight and antler growth patterns. Serum IGF-1 concentrations were higher at the antler cutting date than other sampling dates. Antler length increased significantly during antler growth (p<0.001), and there was a similar trend to between right and left beams. Body weight increased with antler growth but was not significant. Consequently it appeared that serum alkaline phosphatase concentration was related to antler growth and both antler growth and body weight were associated positively with IGF-1 concentrations during antler growth.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.345-349
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of pasture grazing and barn feeding system on the growth performance, weight gain and velvet antler productivity in Elk. Twelve 5-year-old elk stags about 273 kg were stratified by weight and randomly assigned by feeding system (a pasture grazing and a barn feeding, n=6). The average feed intake were not signigicant difference between two groups. Average daily gain for grazing and barn feeding group was 0.25 g and 0.29 g respectively, showing no significant difference. Velvet antler yield for grazing and barn feeding group was 7,700 g and 6, 960 g respectively, with no significant difference. In conclusion grazing group was better than barn feeding group in feed intake, body weight gain and velvet antler productivity. However, there were no statistical significant difference between the two group. These results may serve as the basis for further study of deer feeding system in Korea and further study needed to examine the grazing intensity and economic efficiency.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2000

The mineral compositions were analysed of the tip and the upper section of dried domestic antlers. The upper section was divided longitudinally into four parts. The tip and the upper section were divided traversely into the velvet and the spongy bone layers. The contents of ash, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium increased (p<0.05), and those of manganese, zinc, copper and iron decreased (p<0.05) downward from the tip both in the velvet and the spongy bone layers. The contents of ash, calcium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc of the spongy bone layer were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of the velvet layer. The tip, which is the growth center of the antler, had the significantly (p<0.05) lowest proportions of Ca/ash, Ca/P and Ca/Fe ratios both in the velvet and spongy bone layers.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.943-948
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• 2006

This study carried out to investigate the effect of cutting stimulation on time of cutting, yield and length of antler in Sika deer. There was no significance between surgical stimulation and length of antler, but length was the longest in one side cutting group and the shortest in both side cutting group. Development of point was increased as the number of wounds in the second year (P<0.05). Time of casting was 2 weeks earlier in one side cutting group (P<0.05) than in both sides cutting group. Yields of velvet antler were 148±23g when pedicle was not cut, and 126±61g, 179±63g, 170g, and 48±25g when pedicle was cut by 0.3cm, 0.4cm, 0.5cm and 0.6cm thickness, respectively. In case of 0.6cm, yield was significantly smaller than others (P<0.05). The most desirable thickness of pedicle cut was 0.4～0.5mm. Yield of antler was increased as the size of wound in the first year, and 588, 790 and 657g in control, one-cut and both-cut, respectively. Yields of antler in one-cut is significantly high (P<0.05).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.577-584
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• 2003

Three dietary treatments were compared over two years to determine the effects of dietary protein levels and feeding patterns on velvet production in red deer (Cervus elaphus). The LL group received a 13% protein diet whereas the HH group received a 19% protein diet. The LH group switched from the low to high protein diet at the time of antler casting. Significant relationships were found between velvet production and the girth and length of main beam (p<0.01), daily growth rate of velvet (p<0.01), body weight at cutting time (p<0.05 in 1998 and p<0.01 in 1999), date of casting (p<0.01), and body weight and velvet production of the previous year (p<0.05 in 1998 and p<0.01 in 1999). Different levels of protein in diets in this study did not show statistically significant different effects in general. The girth of velvet, summed for top, middle and bottom of the main beam, tended to be thickest in HH for two years and thinnest in LL for 1998 and in LH for 1999. The main beam tended to be longest in HH at 46.3cm in 1998 and 45.2cm in 1999 and shortest in LH at 39.9cm in 1998 and 41.5cm in 1999. Velvet fresh weight tended to be highest in HH at 2,600$\pm$1,000g in 1998 and 3,038$\pm$867g in 1999 and lowest in LH at 2,287$\pm$826g in 1998 and 2,739$\pm$1,079g in 1999. Daily growth rate of velvet antler tended to be greatest in HH (43$\pm$16g/day in 1998 and 51$\pm$14g/day in 1999) and least in LH (38$\pm$15g/day in 1998 and 45$\pm$18g/day in 1999).

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.565-576
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• 2021

This study was undertaken to measure changes in the composition of elk velvet antlers, by considering the part and growth days (40th day, 60th day). The collected samples were divided into the tip, upper, middle, and base part by position. Samples were analyzed for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, crude fiber, pH, minerals, and fatty acid and amino acid contents. The amounts of crude protein and crude fat were determined to be highest at the tip of the velvet antler by position, whereas dry matter and crude ash were high at the base. Crude protein contents were increased in the upper part but were decreased at the base, when assessed by growth day. Conversely, crude fiber and crude ash were found to be increased at the base by growth day. The pH value was determined to be lower at the tip, but did not differ when evaluated by growth day. Mineral contents (Ca, P, K) differed significantly by growth day in the middle portion of the antler. Saturated fatty acids tended to increase by growth day, whereas unsaturated fatty acids showed a decreasing trend. However, no significant difference was obtained for any of the components. Most amino acids were found to be high in the 60 days velvet antler, except isoleucine (Ile), which showed low levels at day 60. These results provide information on the changes in the composition of antlers, in cases of early cutting.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2006

This study carried out to investigate the effect of cutting stimulation on time of cutting, yield and length of antler in Sika deer. There was no significance between surgical stimulation and length of antler, but length was the longest in one side cutting group and the shortest in both side cutting group. Development of point was increased as the number of wounds in the second year (P<0.05). Time of casting was 2 weeks earlier in one side cutting group (P<0.05) than in both sides cutting group. Yields of antler were $148{\pm}23g$ when pedicle was not cut, and $126{\pm}61g$, $179{\pm}63g$, 170g, and $48{\pm}25g$ when pedicle was cut by 0.3cm, 0.4cm, 0.5cm and 0.6cm, respectively. The most desirable thickness of pedicle cut was 0.4-0.5mm. Yield of antler was increased as the size of wound in the first year, and 588, 790 and 657g in control, one-cut and both-cut, respectively. Yields of antler in one-cut is significantly high (P<0.05).

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.989-996
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• 2010

This study was aimed at investigating the differences in chemical composition of antler according to growing days (80 d and 90 d after casting) and sections (upper, middle, base) in elk. Antlers of six bulls (aged 3 years) cutted on day 80 and 90 after casting were used in this trial and compared chemical composition such as crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, calcium, magnesium, amino acids, lipids, and fatty acids. The contents of crude protein and ether extract were higher in antlers cutted on day 80 than in antlers cutted on day 90, but that of crude ash was higher in antlers cutted on day 90. Significantly difference was observed in crude protein content between growing days in middle part of antler (p<0.05). Calcium and magnesium contents were higher on 90 d than 80 d, but there was no significant difference between growing days of antler. Based on the growing period of antler, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in aspartic acid, threonine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine, and essential amino acids content was higher in antlers cutted on day 80. Total lipid, neutral lipid, and phospholipid contents were higher in antlers cutted on day 80 than in those cutted on day 90, sphingo-phospholipid content was higher than glycerophospholipid content and values was higher in antlers cutted on day 80 than in those cutted on day 90. For total fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids composition, there was no significant difference between growing periods of antlers, but values was higher on day 80 than on day 90. Essential fatty acids contents were lower in antler cutted on day 90 than antlers cutted on day 80 and higher for upper part than lower part.